Frank Otto Grassl died Friday, April 17, 2015 taking his final road trip to “somewhere at large in America and probably out of cell phone range”, he was 75 years of age. Frank was unique, loquacious and uncomplicated.
Frank, known as John Gaunt to his classmates was born in Valparaiso, Indiana on November 14, 1939. He moved to Fernandina Beach with his mother Louis M Gaunt in 1955. He played sports, in particular football for Fernandina Beach High School, graduating in 1958. He maintained close relationships with his classmates and coaches throughout his life.
Frank served in the Army for 21 years, retiring in 1979. He met his former wife Theodora Catharina Overeijnder in Paris while stationed overseas. Married in Holland, 1962, together they have four children; Theodora Catharina (Cathy) Grassl Chapman, Elizabeth Margaret Grassl Brenneman, Caroline Irene Grassl Best, and John Joseph Robert Grassl.
One of Frank’s favorite post-retirement jobs was summer lifeguarding at Peter’s Point.
Frank loved taking cross country road trips, 50’s music, coin collecting and photography. He rode a Goldwing motorcycle and collected Harley Davidson t-shirts.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank Grassl and Lois Margaret Gaunt Briese Grassl, as well as sister Elizabeth Chester and brother Joseph Ivan Briese.
He is survived by his four children and seven grandchildren; Richard Jesse Chapman, III, Theodore Nolan Chapman, Grace Margaret, Lyla Christine, and John Christian Brenneman, Sara Elizabeth Sharp Widener and Camille Milann Best. He is also survived by his nephew James Chester and niece Linda Binder.
A service celebrating Frank’s life will be held at Green Pine Funeral Home, 96281 Green Pine Road, Yulee, Florida on Thursday, April 23, 2015, 12:00 noon. Friends may visit one hour prior to the service. Burial with military honors will follow at Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville, Florida, 2:30 p.m.
We invite you to join us for a get together at the Hammer Head Friday night for pool, beers and to toast Franks life!